Cuban-American Business Leaders Convene in Miami to Develop Plans for a Free Cuba

A group of prominent Cuban-American business leaders gathered in Miami on Tuesday with a shared mission: to craft concrete strategies for Cuba's economic reconstruction in the event of political change.

The meeting, which participants described as the beginning of a broader process, was underscored by a clear message: capital is available but contingent on the establishment of democracy, legal security, and economic freedoms on the Island.

Reported by Telemundo 51 and other local media, the gathering brought together figures associated with the Republican Party such as Ernesto Rodríguez, Michael Fux, Omar Sixto, and Nick Gutiérrez, among other business leaders with significant careers in the United States.

The consensus among these entrepreneurs is that investments will not occur under the current Cuban political regime, yet they are prepared with plans for action should a transition take place.

Plans for Democratic Support and Future Meetings

Ernesto Rodríguez, an executive member of the organizing committee, outlined the gathering's purpose: to support the Trump Administration in fostering a real and effective change toward a democratic Cuba. He also indicated that this would be the first of several meetings, with at least three more planned, culminating with the participation of current Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The meeting generated significant interest among attendees, many of whom expressed a willingness to invest millions in Cuba, but only under clear political conditions.

Economic Transition: A Call for Initial U.S. Support

Michael Fux—a Havana-born businessman who emigrated in 1958 and made his fortune in the mattress industry—advocated for initial U.S. support in a transition scenario. "At least until Cuba is back on its feet. Once it stabilizes, I believe it can sustain itself as it did before Castro," stated Fux, highlighting the country's historical capacity for economic sustainability without the current political model.

The necessity for a solid legal framework was a recurring theme during the meeting. Omar Sixto emphasized the minimum conditions required for any investment from the Cuban-American exile community: "If Cuba becomes free and sovereign with a Constitution protecting private enterprise, Cuban Americans will unite with national Cubans eager to engage in business. That is the essence of today's meeting."

Rejection of Current Regime's Attempts to Attract Exile Investment

Sixto's statements reflect a direct rejection of recent attempts by the regime to attract exiled capital without structural changes, such as the proposal by Cuban Vice Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva to open certain investment spaces to Cubans living abroad.

Another participant, attorney Nick Gutiérrez, an expert in claims of confiscated properties post-Revolution, underscored the historic nature of the current political moment in Cuba. "I'm relatively new to this topic," he acknowledged. "Some here have longed for seven decades for what is happening now. The freedom of the Cuban people is near. This is the first time I can say that after being involved for at least 35 years."

Support for U.S. Pressure on Havana

Gutiérrez also openly supported the role of the current U.S. administration in increasing pressure on Havana: "We have an Administration now that has helped us more than any other. We haven't won yet, and there are people, inside and outside this Administration, who support and oppose our ideals. We must remain steadfast in our ideals, which are not radical. We're not asking for anything special, just what most of the world's people enjoy: democracy, freedom, the rule of law."

The political nature of the meeting was also reflected in its composition. When asked about the absence of Democratic-linked business figures, Ernesto Rodríguez clarified that the invitation was specifically extended to conservative profiles, although future inclusions are not ruled out.

"Through the Trump Administration, we're looking for strong economic support to place our cherished Island where it should have been long ago, and resources are needed for that," Rodríguez explained.

The overall atmosphere of the meeting was described as optimistic, with a shared vision of national reconstruction.

Attorney José Villalobos summed up the collective sentiment: "I think the meeting is very positive; there's a lot of interest in making progress, a lot of interest in rebuilding the Cuba we fled from."

Participants agreed that Cuba's reconstruction would require not just capital but also profound transformations: from creating a modern financial infrastructure to a shift in economic mindset within society.

The gathering took place amid maximum political and economic pressure from Washington on the Cuban regime, with recent measures impacting the Island's energy supply and intensifying the debate on a potential system change.

Simultaneously, the meeting coincided with a controversy in Miami over the authorization of fuel exports from the United States to the Cuban private sector, a measure pushed by the Trump Administration and backed by some Florida companies, including that of Cuban-American Hugo Cancio, who advocates for a negotiation approach with Havana without preconditions.

Nevertheless, the business leaders assembled in Miami distanced themselves from that approach. Their message was unequivocal: exile investment will not be a lifeline for the current system but a commitment to a future, free Cuba with clear rules.

In summary, the consensus among participants is clear: the funds are available, strategies are in place, and the business will is ready. However, everything hinges on a fundamental condition: the end of the current political model on the Island.